"What did you just say?" Kairi shouted at the princess.
Fear surged through him. He immediately stepped in front of Shey, shielding her with his small body. Not long ago, their parents had died. Now… was he about to lose his sister too?
"You brat!" Romeo roared. "Don't push your luck. Are you really forcing Her Highness to repeat herself?"
Before he could continue, the princess raised a hand. She stepped forward, her gaze cold as she examined Kairi like an object.
"Hm… who are you?" she asked. "Judging by your miserable appearance, you've been abandoned. Or worse—parentless, with nowhere to go. Am I wrong?"
Kairi said nothing. He didn't give his name or explain his past. He only glared at her, humiliation burning in his eyes. Escape was impossible; he knew the strength of the royal guards.
"Never mind," the princess continued calmly. "I am Princess Cassandra Aurelius, fourth daughter of the King of this empire." Her eyes flicked to Shey, then back to Kairi. "With that weak body of yours, what can you possibly do to protect her? You understand how this world works—the weak are prey to the strong."
Her words pierced his heart.
"Hand her over to us," Cassandra said, her tone patronizing. "She will live a life you could never give her. Safety. Comfort. A future. Keeping her with you only brings her closer to death."
Kairi's fists trembled.
Can I protect her? Can I really?
Shey was his only remaining family.
Mother… Father… what should I do?
His head lowered, his thoughts turning blank.
"I'm sure you understand now," the princess said coldly. "Be obedient. Do the right thing."
"…Can I trust you with her?" Kairi finally asked, his voice hoarse. He didn't lift his head. "Royals are known to be arrogant and merciless. To you, killing is a game. How can I believe she'll be safe?"
Romeo stiffened in shock, but Kairi didn't move, as if he no longer cared what happened to him.
Princess Cassandra studied him briefly, then smiled faintly. "Of course," she said. "But remember this—not all royals are trash."
She turned away. "Romeo, take the girl to the carriage. We're leaving."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Wait… let me say goodbye to her."
Kairi pulled Shey into a tight embrace, pressing his forehead against hers. His voice trembled. "Don't worry, Shey. This isn't the end. Someday—somehow—I'll find you. No matter what." His eyes reddened. "Why? Because you're my only family. Losing you would be the same as dying. So be obedient, alright? Don't anger them. Study hard so you can find a good job when you grow up. Don't skip meals. Stay healthy." A tear slipped down his cheek. "I love you, Shey."
Shey stared at him in confusion, not fully understanding what was happening—only that her brother was crying. Slowly, her lips trembled, and she began to cry as well, clinging to him with all her strength.
With shaking hands, Kairi finally let go and handed her over. His gaze hardened as he looked at the princess. "Promise me you won't hurt her. Don't turn her into your personal slave. I can't do anything now, but remember this—if word ever reaches me that you harmed her, I will haunt you and make you experience something worse than death."
"How dare you threaten Her Highness, you bas—!" Romeo shouted, furious.
"Alright, I promise," Princess Cassandra said cheerfully. "Can we go now?"
Kairi said nothing. He could only watch as the carriage disappeared from sight, slipping beyond his reach. What else could he do?
"Your Highness, you are no saint," Romeo said in dissatisfaction. "Why show mercy to someone so rude? I know you're not an ordinary child—royal blood runs through your veins—but enduring that? If your second sister were in your place, he'd already be dead."
"If I were in his place," Cassandra replied calmly, "I'd react the same way toward you." She looked ahead, her eyes unreadable. I presume you are wondering why i have taken her under my wing? "Since I was three, I've been self-aware. I learned early how this world works—and I learned that I'm different. My eyes aren't ordinary. Even now, I don't fully understand their capabilities."
She paused. "That girl is also not ordinary. Her potential is barely visible—something only eyes like mine can perceive. Not even you, Romeo."
Romeo froze. "What? Your Highness… she's not ordinary? I thought you only took her as a playmate. And your eyes—wait, I need time to process this."
Princess Cassandra giggled.
"I know she's special," she said with a smile. "Her talent and potential rival my own. Someday, she'll become a great contributor to the empire."
Romeo stared at Shey, who was happily eating cotton candy. Is this girl for real? he wondered.
Turning back to the princess, he asked, "Since your eyes can see what others can't… what about that brat? He was fearless. Even I, at the Spirit-Severing Soul realm, couldn't faze him. They're blood-related—if the sister is a rare seed, then what about the brother?"
Princess Cassandra shook her head. "He's ordinary. I see nothing special about him. I hoped my eyes were wrong, but they're not. No talent. No exception." She sighed lightly. "That's why I couldn't take him. My father would never allow it—he's a boy. At best, I'd be grounded for a year, and that would be unbearable." She smiled mischievously. "But taking her? Father will be pleased. He might even reward me."
"You're wise, Your Highness," Romeo said, satisfied.
Kairi stood frozen, his young mind still struggling to process what had just happened. At such a tender age, he had already endured mental suffering that even adults would break under. He wandered the streets in a daze, his thoughts tangled with memories of his family. Now he was alone—no one to rely on, no one to protect. He walked aimlessly for three hours until he reached the foot of a mountain. Still dazed, he continued climbing until he arrived at the edge of a cliff.
Suddenly, a massive Roc landed nearby, its wings stirring violent winds that snapped Kairi back to reality. He stared at the enormous bird, fear gripping his chest. "Really?" Kairi grimaced bitterly. "Problem after problem… have the heavens truly abandoned me?"
The Roc lunged toward him.
"This is bad!" Kairi turned and sprinted toward the cliff. "Am I really going to die? If I die, I don't want to be eaten by a bird!" Without hesitation, he leapt off the edge, a broken smile forming on his face. "Hahaha… so this is it, huh? Shey… I'm sorry. I promised I'd find you, but the day I said that is also the day I die."
As he fell through the air, Kairi shut his eyes, tears slipping from their corners while he smiled in resignation. He could feel the violent wind nearby—the Roc was close. Accepting his fate, he kept his eyes closed… until something caught him.
Kairi opened his eyes.
He was no longer falling.
Instead, he found himself atop the massive Roc. Near its head sat an old man, smiling calmly. He wore a white hanfu, his long white hair flowing freely in the wind. His eyes were sharp and profound, and he casually fanned himself as if this were an ordinary stroll.
Kairi stared at him in disbelief. From above, he saw a vast world stretching endlessly beneath them—something he could never have imagined. His body trembled in fear, but he forced himself to look at the old man. "Who are you?" Kairi asked. "Why did you save me? No—wait. This is your pet, right? Your pet attacked me, then you saved me… argh! I'm confused. What even happened?"
The old man smiled faintly and walked toward him. Looking down at Kairi, he suddenly slapped him on the head. "You rude brat," he said. "This is not a pet. It is my beast bond. Insulting him is the same as insulting me. Since you're ignorant, I'll let it slide."
He waved his hand dismissively. "As for your question—shouldn't you thank me first for saving your life?" He chuckled. "Never mind. What really happened is this: I let my bond hunt for food, and I didn't know you'd be his first target. I sensed a strange aura from him, so I checked—and found him playing with a rat. Hahaha!"
The old man laughed heartily. "I told him to only eat those filled with bloodlust or truly wicked people. He thought you were irrelevant, so he ignored my advice and went straight for you. Fortunately for you, I arrived in time. Thanks to me, you're alive—hahaha!"
"Am I so irrelevant that even a bird thinks of me as a rat?" Kairi smiled awkwardly.
Anger simmered within him, yet it was impossible to hide the astonishment in his eyes as he stared at the old man. The old man observed him silently, then stepped closer. He placed a hand on Kairi's abdomen, and a faint blue light gathered in his palm.
"This is…" the old man muttered inwardly.
He frowned. "Hey, brat. Who are you?"
Pulled back to reality, Kairi answered honestly, "I'm Kairi… Kairi Cassian."
The old man withdrew his hand and turned his gaze toward the distant sunset, the Roc gliding smoothly through the sky. Is it near? The inevitable return? he wondered.
He looked back at Kairi. "Hey, brat. I'll take you as my disciple. You should be grateful. In return, bow and kowtow to me ten times."
"What?" Kairi was stunned. Is this really happening? His heart pounded. Can I become a cultivator like the others? If that were possible, who wouldn't want it?
Tears streamed down his face.
Without hesitation, Kairi knelt and kowtowed ten times. When he stood up again, he was smiling.